Peaks, Lakes & Meadows of the Canadian Rockies

Limited to 12 Travelers / 10 Travelers on Photo Departures
A very important feature of our Canadian Rockies tour is the small group size, as nature is best experienced with fewer travelers for a more peaceful experience with less impact on wildlife and our environs.

Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s) and local staff, transportation, all helicopter transfers while at Bugaboo Lodge, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), optional travel protection and medical evacuation insurance.

Moderate
This adventure does not require a particularly high degree of physical fitness, and the included hikes are easy to moderate in terms of physical exertion. However, please be aware that hiking is the main activity on this trip, with two or three outings per day. Most hikes will take place at an altitude of 4,500-6,800 feet above sea level. The average altitude of hikes in the Bugaboo Range, which we access via helicopter, is 7,250 feet, with the highest hikes (which are entirely optional) taking place at approximately 8,800 feet. Travelers should be able to walk unassisted for at least 3 miles per hike, over rough terrain, both up and down steep inclines, with some gain in altitude (up to 900 feet) required in certain locations. Multiple hikes per day will generally be offered, with total roundtrip distances between 3–6 miles, and shorter options will be available for those who prefer.

Our days generally start quite early and are very full with activities, including a few long drives. Helicopter-accessed hikes in the Bugaboos are "off-trail," so travelers must be comfortable hiking over rocky, wet and uneven terrain. An optional guided 3-mile glacier walk is included on Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. This excursion requires the use of trekking poles and microspike attachments to footwear (all specialized equipment is provided).

Note that all hikes are completely optional, and travelers should only participate in activities in which they feel comfortable. While travelers are not required to participate in all activities, should you opt out of the day's scheduled activities, we cannot guarantee that alternatives will always be available. Guests who would like to take longer or more strenuous hikes will have opportunities to do so during our three-night stay in the Bugaboos, and likewise, those who wish may opt out of any given hike to relax at the lodge.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

We recommend that you arrive in Calgary by 3 pm on Day 1 in order to join your group orientation at the hotel at 6 pm. The transfer from Calgary to downtown Banff is usually around 2 hours. You are free to depart Calgary any time after 5 pm on the final day.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as our staff is intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.